Which is better? A .com domain name or a .com.au domain name? Should I register domain names for the other markets I sell to as well (e.g. New Zealand)?

A rule of thumb when choosing a domain name is to match your domain name against the location of your target customers. That's because a domain name tells your customers where you are from and who you serve.

This means that if you are an Australian company selling products to the Australian market then a .com.au domain name would probably suit you best. A.com.au domain is a clear statement that you have met the Australian domain name registration rules meaning you are registered to trade in Australia and are an Australian organisation. Similarly, a .co.nz or .co.uk tells customers that you have a local focus in the New Zealand or UK markets.

.com addresses give your business a more global flavour as they are a well established domain name extension. Most .com domain name addresses are registered in the United States where the Internet originated.

If your budget allows, try registering as many extensions that use your base domain name as you can. For example. If your company was called Jazzy Jewellers Co, try registering jazzyjewellery.com.au, jazzyjewellery.net.au and jazzyjewellery.com. This should help protect your trademark and intellectual property - so people don't set up imitation stores of yours and rip you off.